As a result of our collaboration with GIZ FABRIC we had the immense good fortune of connecting with Miran Ali, spokesperson for the STAR Network.
The STAR Network is the first inter-Asian network of producer associations, initiated with the support of GIZs FABRIC project. The network brings together representatives of the producing associations from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Pakistan and Vietnam.
They’ve been in the news a lot the last couple of weeks because they have announced a pretty groundbreaking initiative which was launched in partnership with GIZ FABRIC and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) calling for better purchasing practices. IAF members from three additional countries have already joined the initiative.
In this episode we get into the details of this initiative. On which issues, exactly, does the STAR Network hope to put forward minimum standards? What has the process for agreeing these standards in and amongst suppliers been like? Do all the suppliers agree, or are there areas of contention? And of course, what comes next?
Want to dig deeper ?
The STAR Network has put out two joint statements related to purchasing practices. The first was put out in April 2020, the second in January 2021. Learn more about the additional IAF members that have joined the initiative.
The FABRIC project is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and supports the Asian textile industry in its transformation towards fair production for people and the environment.
Learn more about GIZ FABRIC’s online seminar series “Getting Through the Crisis Together: Asian Dialogues on Sustainability in the Textile and Garment Industry.” Miran Ali was a speaker on the first and the eleventh seminar within this series. All the seminars are free and available online, and we highly recommend checking them out.
Check out another super impressive supplier-led statement on purchasing practices our friends at Transformers Foundation.
Photo Giorgio Grani
